Although Nagpur is fast becoming a health hub of not just Vidarbha but entire central India, public health has never been a priority for any of political party or individual candidates. Not a single health related issue from city or region has ever found any place on their political agenda over the years. This year, despite swine flu pandemic, the disease hasn't caused a death in the region yet the entire public health sector is geared up to face it. In contrast, hundreds of death occur every year in the region due to Chandipura virus, dengue, gastro-enteritis and malaria, the diseases which could easily be controlled by adopting preventive measures. Yet, those have never become an issue for any political party. Over 35 deaths occurred in Vidarbha due to Chandipura virus in 2007 and about 20 this year but it has not even been mentioned once.
Similarly, the vertical expansion of the Indira Gandhi Government medical college (IGGMC) which could have changed the face of health care in city, is hanging fire for last 7-8 years. The Rs 100 crore upgradation of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to AIIMS level has also been more an issue for social activists than politicians. Anees Ahmed, who claims to have initiated the IGGMC plan as a MLA and now blames its delay on western Maharashtra leader, has never taken it up seriously himself. Dinanath Padole, MLA from south Nagpur that has GMCH, too never made efforts to get the project back to city after it was hijacked to Mumbai or to expedite when GMCH was finally included in plan. Except for Vilas Muttemwar, the Congress MP from city, who apparently played an important role in pushing the GMCH upgradation project, no leader from city or region ever bothered to take it up seriously.
Similarly, the vertical expansion of the Indira Gandhi Government medical college (IGGMC) which could have changed the face of health care in city, is hanging fire for last 7-8 years. The Rs 100 crore upgradation of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to AIIMS level has also been more an issue for social activists than politicians. Anees Ahmed, who claims to have initiated the IGGMC plan as a MLA and now blames its delay on western Maharashtra leader, has never taken it up seriously himself. Dinanath Padole, MLA from south Nagpur that has GMCH, too never made efforts to get the project back to city after it was hijacked to Mumbai or to expedite when GMCH was finally included in plan. Except for Vilas Muttemwar, the Congress MP from city, who apparently played an important role in pushing the GMCH upgradation project, no leader from city or region ever bothered to take it up seriously.
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